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Health Level Seven International is making its intellectual property freely available to stakeholders to boost their access to the group's health IT standards. With this plan, the company hopes to "accelerate the evolution of health care information exchange at the very basic levels and ultimately to impact wellness and health care delivery on a global scale," said HL7 CEO Dr. Charles Jaffe.

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Health Level Seven International has launched online certification testing for the areas of clinical document architecture, HL7 version 3 reference information mode and HL7 version 2.7 control. The certifications offered by HL7 are used by the health IT industry to assess proficiency, according to HL7 officials. "The introduction of online testing will increase the opportunities for candidates to pursue certification and will mean that they no longer have any of the obstacles associated with the traditional testing method," said HL7 CEO Dr. Charles Jaffe.

A report issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs' inspector general indicated the agency has been transmitting unencrypted information to private contractors as well as outpatient facilities. Although no breaches have occurred, this practice is not in compliance with federal rules dictating tougher security. The report urges the VA to implement corrective action and train its employees on sending sensitive data over encrypted networks.

An accountable care organization was formed through the partnership of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Iowa and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The ACO will offer incentives based on provider efforts to offer high-quality and efficient care to patients.

A money-back guarantee is being offered by telemedicine company AMC Health to hospitals, accountable care organizations and other customers that use its interactive voice response technology and case management services if they don't experience a reduction in hospital readmissions within 90 days. John Holland, senior vice president for research and business development at AMC Health, also said his company is testing an inhaler device that works like a smart pill bottle to boost medication adherence by patients with respiratory illnesses and allow caregivers to monitor their condition.

The Clinical Quality Information Work Group was recently established by Health Level Seven International. An organizational infrastructure will be provided by the group to "collaborate, educate and foster greater communication and coordination with external quality, health care delivery and management, professional and government stakeholder organizations, as well as across HL7's work groups," said HL7 CEO Dr. Charles Jaffe.